Outcasts in the Firelight

Elias and Maeve stared at the flames dancing in the campfire. It somehow mesmerized them, especially Maeve. The light of the fire – they both could feel – gave them the courage of venturing in closer and sharing a moment of connection away from their respective clans. Shown briefly by the light of the flames, Maeve's slender frame seemed almost saintly.

"What are you doing here, mortal?" She asked him, her voice delicate and calming, a break in the darkness of the night.

Elias hesitated before responding, caught off guard by her use of the term ‘mortal’. He glanced away, towards the depths of the forest, contemplating his answer carefully. "I'm looking for peace," He finally replied, looking into her deep blue eyes.

Maeve seemed to understand – or with the way she shifted uncomfortably in the dirt – he hoped she did. It made him feel like he could tell her about his own plight.

To break the awkward pause, Maeve began to tell her story. Her chest elevated with each inhale as her voice began to become thicker with emotion. "I am cast aside not because of what I have done wrong, but because of who I am, for I am different."

Elias could feel the pull of Maeve’s desperate plaint, and he raised an arm to soothe her. "It's alright, Maeve." He said quieter and a bit more strained. "All we can do is keep looking for peace. Even in dark and lonesome moments, we can still find solace. Inspite of the odds."

It was what Elias had held on to ever since being exiled himself, not by his parents but by his clan because he was seen to exhibit signs of magic. He, like Maeve, was an outcast and he wanted her to know she wasn't alone. So, he told her about the narrative of resilience he'd built for himself, how he was still searching for clarity and for something better. In his truest form, he let it all out.

Maeve looked into the fire and felt the warmth of her connection with Elias. In a peaceful moment of understanding, they reached a new point of awareness that transcended their differences. The forest seemed alive, the crackling of the fire dancing with the buzzing of the night insects and the rustle of the leaves to create a musical background.

In their current understanding – where it felt like they could read eachother’s minds – Maeve and Elias shared an impassioned plan of self-empowerment and inspiration. Knowing that together they could be a source of strength for one another, and for any outcasts who find themselves stuck in the nightmare entrapment of eternal exclusion.

The conversation eventually mellowed into a contemplative silence, and before calling it a night, Elias gave Maeve a long and hearty hug, that sealed their newfound connectedness. They packed up their things, deciding to meet back at the campfire, each in their own good time, and ventured out ahead into the depths of the night.

Maeve’s steps felt as if they echoed hope as they pierced the depth of the dark and lonesome night. In her heart, she knew her story, her existence, and her darkness all had a place in the world. Even in trying times and oppressive surroundings, she and Elias had found solace in each other and the hope to continue on their respective journeys.